Suspension now or later?
 

Hi all. What do you all think would be better for my NA? Option 1: Go with FM 1.5 setup now. Option 2: Stay cheap for now with Racelands, and have my Bilsteins revalved down the road and get some decent coils. The car is primarily a DD (130mi/day) with the occasional overly spirited canyon run. I probably won't make it to the track more than once a year or so. I do want to get rid of the 4x4 look asap.
I'm well aware that cheap is just that... cheap. If I were able to be without the car while waiting for the shocks to be revalved, then I'd most likely go that route. Unfortunately that isn't an option. I guess the main question is of the two final destinations, FM vs. Revalve/coils, is one really all that much better than the other? Thanks

Wait until you can do it right. I'm on my 4th or 5th setup and wish I'd just done it right the first time. Being in Cali you can probably bum rides in cars with both setups to help make your mind up.

I agree completely.

Think about it.

I can do it "right" now assuming FM is "right". The thing keeping me from going the revalve route right now is down time waiting for turnaround. Hence the temporary Raceland solution. In the end the cost will be roughly the same either way.

If you just need something to drive the car on for a couple of weeks. I would try and find someone local that has some stock stuff kickin around the garage they will let you borrow or buy for cheap.

I would get racelands. They're so cheap you can't really lose, and so far quite good reviews.

If you have Bilsteins already there is no reason to go with Racelands.

Ebay coilover kit $75 shipped

99 00 01 02 03 04 05 MAZDA MIATA JDM COILOVERS SPRINGS : eBay Motors (item 360234792336 end time Mar-15-10 02:00:16 PDT)

Summit Racing qa1 springs $75

QA1 Precision Products 7-300 - QA1 Racing Springs - Overview - SummitRacing.com

Revalve front two shocks SD $160 group buy mt.net

STEWART DEVELOPMENT INC. - WELCOME

RB tubular front hollow big bar $150

Racing Beat Miata Performance Products

Assuming the rates on the Ebay kit are 450/350 which is the most common. Order the ebay coilover kit and use the collars and front 450lbs springs. Order rear 7" qa1 300lbs srings from summit racing for the rear. Send your front Bilsteins off to SD for the miataturbo.net group buy revalve for your 450lbs front rates. Order that big rb front bar. Have fun, or do it in steps...

Coilover home brew with revalve $150

Revalve SD fronts $160

RB Tubular $150

ICS top hats rear $100

illuminas + FM springs is okay. I dunno if I'd call it right...


I'll have a pair of 7" 300# springs for sale next week :)

I do either Steward revalves for 550/300's, Tein Monoflex, or Xida.

Oh, forgot to add...

If you want higher rates thats dope to. Is the cars for street, track, both?

Jacob, those fleabay COs are listed for NB. Would I need NB tophats to get them to work?

no, but you need new flat perches or properly sized ID sleeves.

Keep saving until you can do it right. I'm on my 10th setup and wish I'd just done it right the first time.


Srsly:

If I could go back, I would have spent what I did going turbo on suspension up front. Instead I kept buying cheap setups looking for the Holy Grail, and was always too broke to buy something decent. I finally got ahead enough and caught a good deal, and am actually happy with the Tein SS.

I never tried the FM kit since I couldn't afford new, and never saw used. It is probably good, as I always hear good things about it...but revalved Bilsteins are the way to go if you aren't buy a coilover with dampers valved SPECIFICALLY for the spring rates they come with.

Springs are cheap, and it's easy to find the rates you like, and put them on some eBay sleeves. Getting a good damper is hard...and besides the proven high-dollar setups a revalved is really you're only safe bet.

I just finished bolting up the Teins this morning...and I swear I am not touching the suspension again until I can put some AFCOs or Ohlins on it.

Am I missing something here with the DIY Bilsteins with ebay collars? I've done three sets now and its this easy...

Knock factory sring perch off with 3lbs mallet, slide ebay sleave on down to the leftover c-clip which holds the new collar, install springs, install, bumpstop, add top hat. Lower car, measure, raise lower to desired level. Take Brains Mom out for a date...

It wouldn't really be a date, brian's mom isn't looking for anything serious

This is the third time you've had springs for sale d00d (Brian.)

and in response to the OP I'm about to pop bilsteins on with gospeed's old egay collars and egay springs, along with some fcm bumpstops... And in the future upgrade the mounts, springs and a revalve or at least that's the plan... The thig I like about this plan is that it can be incrimental and cost is relative to what you can afford plus it's supposed to rock balls.

Edit: plus you have the bilsteins already, do eet

Give me a week or so, I will ship my shitty blown 90 struts to you for the cost of shipping so you can haz your shiz revalved, how does that sound?

Fleabay chit has been ordered and shipped. I may just order new revalves on the SD group buy and be done with it. This way I can have a spare set for emergency. In terms of spring rates, what seems to be the most desired for an all around setup that is heavier on the street than the track? 500/300ish

Yup stay around that range say around 4-500 front and then plug in your setup in the fatcat calculator to get your rear rates.